... Bar girls have support in Parliament

NEW DELHI: Tens of thousands of "dancing girls", about to lose their livelihood after an official crackdown on dance bars in Maharashtra, have found support in Parliament.

As the women desperately fight off the label of "immoral trade", many MPs are rallying behind them, calling the state government's decision rash and insensitive.

"Before pushing thousands of people into unemployment, the government should have made alternative arrangements," said actor-MP Govinda, whose Congress forms Maharashtra's ruling combine in partnership with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Govinda said that besides the dancing women, there were several other people who were involved in the business and whose livelihood was completely dependent on it.

"How can the government overlook them? There should have been some humanitarian consideration. A decision like this could be taken after a debate about the pros and cons," he added.

Many in the acting fraternity, including Union minister Sunil Dutt, Rahul Bose and Soni Razdan have come out strongly against the proposed ban.

Taking note of the outrage from various quarters, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh indicated he would buy some time. "We are taking legal advice on the matter and decide later," Mr Deshmukh said. But he assured a rehabilitation package as a ban came into force.